On June 8, 2023, the Toronto tourism and hospitality community came together at Koerner Hall to re-connect, celebrate and reflect on 2022 marketing and sales achievements at the 98th Annual General Meeting.
The Honorable Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Councillor Shelley Caroll, City of Toronto Chair of Economic and Community Development both joined the community to share their thoughts on stage, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance shared remarks by video.
“Our government is here to support your work and the work that everyone is connected to drive the Ontario tourism industry. I want to embrace Toronto tourism. I am confident in it. I know we as a group will continue to drive it. I'm a strong believer in your ability, when you're really good, you bounce back and you bounce back better. I know that's the case here.”
- Honorable Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
“We're seeing great momentum in visitor spending in our city, but there are still many segments of the visitor economy that are not fully recovered. And so we're looking forward to that. Right now is our chance to keep working together, to grow both our economy and to become more of a player in the community so that we're all working hand in hand.”
- Councillor Shelley Caroll, City of Toronto, Chair of Economic and Community Development
“Our government is committed to our partnership with Destination Toronto to support the industry and its path to growth and sustainability. As Team Canada, we will elevate the visitor experience to the benefit of your great city and its entire region. Toronto is more than just a city. It's an expression of the best of what Canada has to offer together."
- Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
The above embedded recording of the event is worth watching, as it includes a fun, new approach to the presentation of the Annual Report that engaged Destination Toronto employees in three video highlight reels to tell 2022’s story: The Year of Re: Reactivate, Rebuild, and Rethink. It also included a spectacular LIVE performance of Cultures Remix, featuring Ontario's 1st Poet Laureate and Artivist Randell Adjei, and dancer and Founder of Sapphenix Movement, Kimberly Anne Beckles. Please continue reading for an overview of the formal portion of the AGM.
Destination Toronto’s 2023 Annual General Meeting
In his final AGM as Destination Toronto Board of Director Chair, Andy Loges, Area General Manager, Canada East Hilton Toronto, provided the Chair’s Report recapping a year that began with much uncertainty and ended with a great deal of optimism.
The 2022 AGM minutes were approved, as well as the Finance and Audit Committee Report, and Ernst & Young were re-appointed as auditors.
Robert Housez, Past Chair, Destination Toronto and General Manager Chelsea Hotel Toronto presented the Board of Directors Slate, which included extending an additional three-year term to: Anuk Karunaratne, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, Toronto Blue Jays; Hillary Marshall, Group Head, Communications & Public Affairs, Canada Infrastructure Bank; and Trevor Lui, Partner, Superfresh, Co-founder, Quell and Principal, High Bell Group; and adding a new member for an initial three-year term, Mark Williams, Chief Executive Officer, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Attendees bid farewell to Past Chair, Robert Housez, who was stepping down from the Board of Directors, and thanked Andy Loges for his time as Chair, welcoming him to his new role as Past Chair.
The formal portion of the meeting came to a close with Andy welcoming to the stage, the soon to be appointed new Board Chair, Rekha Khote, Principal, MK2 Hospitality, whose career spans many years and includes senior leadership roles at Delta and Starwoods Hotels. Rekha shared her gratitude for the team and community and her excitement for the opportunity to work together to share the city’s vibrancy and diversity with visitors.
Thank you to Mervon Mehta, Executive Director, Performing Arts at The Royal Conservatory and his team for providing an opportunity for AGM attendees to enjoy Koerner Hall and engage with each other over refreshments and culinary delights from Daniel et Daniel and MICHELIN restaurant Cherry Street BBQ. And thank you to the incredible musicians who provided live music throughout the Annual General Meeting: Alex Toskov (violin), Vena Lin (viola), Kevin Odorico (cello), and Elaine Choi (piano).
Engage With the Community
- On The Terminal, you can access data dashboards, quarterly reports, educational events, and industry insights to help you tap into the visitor economy.
- Register for the Terminal 2 bi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop on all the latest industry news and opportunities.
